4 DAYS, 4 ACTIVITIES, 4 RIVERS
Rafting, Canoraft, Hydrospeed, Canyoning
DRANSE, GIFFRE, ARVE, DORA BALTEA
There are no less than 4 rivers in the programme for this break and all the water sports will start from our Passy base. The Dora Baltea and the Arve flow from either side of Mont Blanc and further north, are the Dranse and the Giffre. These 4 rivers have their own characteristics, and we match each activity to the river that will give you the best experience.
1 day free style: Hydrospeed + Canoraft or Airboat
The Passy base is minutes from Sallanches and just a little more from Megeve and Saint Gervais. The Arve flows straight down from Mont Blanc and joins the Rhone in Geneva. Surrounded by the Mont Blanc Massif, the Chaine des Fiz and Aravis, the scenery has to be seen to be believed.
The Arve in Passy is a large and powerful river. Easy and accessible to all, it will give its best in June, July and August when the glaciers of Mont Blanc give the maximum water.
The Arve in Passy is a large and powerful river. Easy and accessible to all, it will give its best in June, July and August when the glaciers of Mont Blanc give the maximum water.
Hydrospeed
The volume of the river lends itself perfectly to Hydrospeed. We will select the most interesting spot for the more sporty participants to surf in the waves, while the less sporty will simply descend. There is something for everyone!
For the Rodeo session we descend the best part of the course twice before continuing to the end.
Canoraft and Airboat
The Arve is relatively easy at the beginning. With the advice and exercises suggested by your instructor, you will learn the basics. Then enter the current where you learn to stop, coordinate and navigate. In some parts it will be possible to have a play, with interaction between the crews, swapping between Airboat and Canoraft and crossing the waves and rapids. This is an informative 7km descent that will make you want to go further.
Duration of each activity: 1h – 1h30, 2h – 2h30 including preparation and travel.
Difficulty: Class II (3)
1 day Hydrospeed on the Dranse + Canoraft or Airboat on the Giffre
The Dranse at Thonon (at the heart of Portes du Soleil) is the River of Chablais. Regardless of its volume, it is both powerful and sporty but remains within the reach of non-specialists. It has all the elements for a super descent with its wide bed and well worn rocks. We start just after a tricky passage. The course is beautiful and technical and to enjoy it to the max, you need to pay attention to your technique. From the beginning you will be instructed how to get into the flow, to stop and to navigate rocks and the rapids with precision.
Difficulty: Class III
The Giffre in Samoëns lies in a setting of rocks and greenery, a veritable haven of flora and fauna. It is the ideal river for Canoraft and Airboat! After a full briefing from your instructor, you enter the current where you learn to stop, coordinate and navigate. Each time we stop we take the time to suggest exercises to help you progress and thus make a more enjoyable trip. We use top quality equipment which is light, handy and stable allowing you to conquer the rapid at the entrance to the Gorge des Tines. If at the end of the session, you have not mastered all of the techniques, you will have learnt a lot!
Difficulty: Classe II, III. Les Gorges des Tines is difficult to classify.
Duration of each activity: 1h30 on the water, 2h30 inclusive.
Canyons ‘de La Belle au Bois’ and ‘du Rot de Balme’ (the choice will be based on conditions on the day).
½ day Canyoning
Canyon de Balme: Magland near Flaines-Les Carroz (Haute-Savoie)
Very varied, it allows you to discover all aspects of canyoning. The first part involves abseiling, increasing to a 25m waterfall. Then we reach the natural toboggans and you will find it an exhilarating experience in a majestic setting!
Duration: 15 minutes walk / 2h30 descent / 10 minutes return
Canyon de La Belle au Bois, Le Playnay: Megève (Haute Savoie)
This is a jewel in the heart of the Alps. Its waters are turbulent, it has dizzying jumps and impressive abseiling. The highlight of the descent is a perfectly sculpted slide that plunges you into a basin before moving on to abseil a 25m waterfall. Thrills without limits!
Duration: 5 minutes walk / 2h30 de descent / 10 minutes return.
In both cases you will see the evidence of 1000’s of years of geological erosion, it’s beautiful and impressive!
1 day rafting with 3 routes
In the Northern Alps, behind the Italian side of Mont Blanc, the Dora Baltea is an institution among the glacial rivers of Europe. We raft between Courmayeur and Villeneuve, almost to Aosta. Over 26km of large volume water, with a steeper gradient than the other rivers, awaits you. This is what is known as Alpine white water. The Dora Baltea gives excellent conditions from early June to early September. With high flow rates from the melting glaciers, the runs of Va Cherie and Gorge de Leverogne will be superb to raft. When the volume decreases we raft through La Frontina and the Gorge d’Avises. There is also the opportunity to follow a steeper and more technical route when there is less water.
Difficulty: Class III and IV for volume and gradient, Class IV and V for the high route.
River stat: 80m3/s doubled up at the end of the day with the melting snow.
€320/person (including transport except for Canyoning; meals and accommodation extra).
Supplement of €15 euros if you choose le Canyon de la Belle au Bois.
Conditions: Good level of fitness, previous experience of white water if possible. 16 years minimum.
Equipment to bring: swimsuit, sports shoes (for canyoning), towel.
